Module LZF-1002:Advanced French 2

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser:
Dr Jonathan Ervine

Overall aims and purpose

This module aims to enhance students' translation and reading comprehension skills through the study of texts varying in style and register. Students will be able to produce more advanced pieces of writing in French. The module will enhance students' advanced oral and aural skills through conversation exercises and selected audio-visual materials varying in tone and register. Students will enhance students' vocabulary acquisition and ability to incorporate idiomatically complex expressions into oral and written work. Students will develop a more complex understanding of advanced grammatical structures and an ability to use such grammatical constructions in written and oral expression. They will be able to discuss and defend arguments and ideas in group and one-to-one discussions, as well as understand key aspects informing contemporary French identities. Students on this module will be working towards achieving B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Course content

This module provides continuation from LZF-1001, and aims to enhance the written oral and aural skills of advanced (post A-level) students of French. It comprises text-based classes in which students have the opportunity to enhance their translation and writing skills, as well as oral/aural classes, in which a range of advanced audio and visual aids are employed to stimulate group discussions and debates. Throughout the module, students also have the opportunity extend their knowledge of more complex areas of grammar. The texts and materials used in this module are chosen from a range of sources from the media and literary works in order to familiarise students with variations in tone and register, as well as to improve comprehension of different Francophone accents. Through these materials, students will also gain an insight into particular French themes and issues that relate to contemporary life and society in the French-speaking world. Learning outside of the classroom is supported through a co-curricular Self-Study Portfolio.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: Limited knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary resulting in a limited ability to communicate in writing or translate from French-English and English-French. Basic understanding of aural and written material in French. Basic grasp of French pronunciation and limited ability to converse freely in French and respond to spoken material. Limited ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral French.

good

50-69%: Good knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary resulting in a good ability to communicate in writing or translate from French-English and English-French Good understanding of aural and written material in French. Good grasp of French pronunciation and some ability to converse freely in French and respond to spoken material. Ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral French.

excellent

70+%: Excellent knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary resulting in an excellent ability to communicate in writing or translate from French-English and English-French. Excellent understanding of aural and written material in French. Excellent grasp of French pronunciation and clear ability to converse freely in French and respond to spoken material. Clear ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral French.

Learning outcomes

Engage with French language in spoken form (including different accents) understanding, reacting and responding to it in an interactive context.

Employ advanced grammatical structures in written and oral work.

Demonstrate confidence in extracting and using information presented in French-language sources to answer questions in the target language.

Explore and evaluate some of the key themes and debates dominating contemporary French culture.

Understand and translate more challenging written texts varying in style and register.

Produce accurate and idiomatically correct written French

Apply new areas of vocabulary and more complex idiomatic expression to written and oral work.

Assessment Methods

Type

Name

Description

Weight

CLASS TEST

Listening/video comprehension

An in-class test, which involves listening/watching an audio/video file, followed by written questions and a longer summary/response exercise.

25

CLASS TEST

Oral exam

Oral presentation in French (6 minutes), followed by Q&A, including discussion of the Self-Study Portfolio.

25

EXAM

Written exam (2 hours)

2 hour exam structured in two parts: 1) French-English translation (ca. 200-250 words). 2) Translation of a set of 10 English sentences into French, designed to test more complex grammatical structures.

50

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours

Lecture

4 one-hour seminars per week, with a varying focus on oral, aural, written and reading skills.

44

Private study

Private study enables consolidation of vocabulary acquisition, grammatical structures as well as oral/aural techniques. On top of regular homework exercises, the Self-Study Portfolio provides a structured approach to private study.

156

Transferable skills

Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media

Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives

Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.

Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.

Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

1. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in short written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)

2. The ability to translate short passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)

5. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing familiarity with a range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)

Resources

Resource implications for students

Talis Reading list

Reading list

Grammar dossier (provided by lecturer)

Text-based dossier (provided by lecturer)

Oral conversation dossier (provided by lecturer)

Other Learning Resources:
Students registered for this module are expected to complete the School’s co-curricular Self-Study Portfolio. This portfolio encourages students to read French-language newspapers and watch French TV and French films on a regular basis; they should also read one French-language novel per semester.